GEOFF BOTTOMS relishes a profoundly human portrait of a family as it evolves across 55 years in Sheffield
The NHS case for a left-wing Labour party
PAUL DONOVAN salutes a timely dramatisation of Aneurin Bevin's life, and the political struggle on the left to create the NHS
Roger Evans (Archie Lush), Michael Sheen (Nye Bevan) and Sharon Small (Jennie Lee) in Nye
[Johan Persson]
PAUL DONOVAN applauds an excellently crafted new musical that explores the life and death of Ruth Ellis
PAUL DONOVAN is tickled by the excruciating take-downs of one of the funniest, wittiest, political writers around.
RON JACOBS points out, via a transcription of Kissinger’s secret recordings, that Trump could never have existed without Nixon and Kissinger
ELLIS RAE is persuaded that the advantages of the ‘talking cure’ are superior to the treatment of mental illness with drugs
JOHN GREEN, MICHAL BONCZA and BELLA KATZ review The Good Boy, Broken English, and Don't Be Prey
Nye
Olivier Theatre, NT
The narrative is centred on looking back from Nye's deathbed, fittingly set in an NHS hospital ward. In fact the hospital aroma permeates throughout, when it is even a nurse serving the drinks in the House of Commons when Nye first meets future Labour MP and minister Jenny Lee.
The play, by Tim Price, looks back at the different experiences that formed Nye Bevan, from his time in the pits and local council, to the House of Commons and ultimately battling the doctors over NHS contracts.
There are great performances throughout, none more so than Sheen, who brings forth the vulnerabilities of the man, as well as his explosive energy and passion — all done whilst wearing pyjamas.
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